Caroline Cross represented the parents at the inquest into the death of their infant son, Sebastian Clark. During labour at Kingston Hospital his mother was diagnosed with suspected chorioamnionitis, a form of sepsis. However, the Coroner Dr Cummings concluded that there were a “lamentable number of individual failings” and inadequate leadership in managing Mrs Clark and Sebastian. Sebastian’s delivery was not expedited, as it should have been, and he was born in extremely poor condition. He died four days later, on 12 March 2017.

Following the death Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust drew up guidelines on the management of chorioamnionitis. Dr Cummings announced he would be writing to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to acquaint them with the guidelines with a view to rolling them out nationwide. He would also ask them to consider whether to introduce Group B strep screening, which is not common practice in the UK.

Caroline Cross is instructed by Tim Deeming from Tees Law to represent the family.

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